‘Rebel’ detainee moved to another jail

An alleged rebel leader was transferred to another detention facility on suspicion that he had been enticing other inmates at the Danao City Jail to rebel against the government.

Ramon Patriarca, whom military said was the taxation and finance bureau officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, was transported to the Central Command headquarters’ detention site in barangay Lahug, Cebu City, late afternoon yesterday.

Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 25 in Danao City ordered the transfer of Patriarca from the Danao City Jail.

Patriarca is facing rebellion charges before RTC Branch 25 in Danao City.

Patriarca attended a court hearing on a case he filed against police officials at the Palace of Justice yesterday morning.

He wasn’t returned to the Danao City Jail and was instead transported directly to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

In an interview, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Patriarca was temporarily detained at the provincial jail to give time for Centcom officials to clear their jail facility.

“He (Patriarca) reportedly was considered a governor at the Danao City Jail. That’s how influential he is,” Garcia told reporters.

Patriarca, who is considered a political detainee, was surprised with the court ruling.

“I will automatically go on a hunger strike starting this very hour. This is too crazy,”  said Patriarca in a brief interview before he was brought to CPDRC.

In a separate interview, CPDRC jail warden Alger Comendador said Patriarca refused to eat when they gave him food yesterday.

Comendador said Patriarca showed resistance in going inside the CPDRC.
At around 5 p.m. yesterday, Patriarca was transferred to the Centcom jail.

Governor Garcia said her administration tried to get rid of the NPA in the past years.

“We are declared insurgency free,” the governor said.

Patriarca was arrested last Feb. 5, 2009, by joint forces from police and 78th Infantry Battalion in barangay Casili, Consolacion town.

He was the subject of an arrest warrant for rebellion issued by the Danao City court.

He was detained at the CPDRC but was eventually transferred to the Danao City Jail./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL